MYRModel Year Report

2016 Hyundai Sonata

■ Significantly worse — known issue year
2016 Hyundai Sonata
BUILT 2026-08-02

This year had more than double the complaints of this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

COMPLAINTS PER YEAR

Complaints per year, Hyundai Sonata Bar chart of distinct NHTSA complaints filed per model year, 2016 highlighted. 1986: 0 complaints 1986 1987: 1 complaints 1988: 0 complaints 1989: 11 complaints 1990: 16 complaints 1991: 29 complaints 1992: 22 complaints 1992 1993: 26 complaints 1994: 3 complaints 1995: 66 complaints 1996: 23 complaints 1997: 49 complaints 1998: 49 complaints 1998 1999: 124 complaints 2000: 276 complaints 2001: 205 complaints 2002: 319 complaints 2003: 199 complaints 2004: 202 complaints 2004 2005: 165 complaints 2006: 1047 complaints 2007: 696 complaints 2008: 425 complaints 2009: 460 complaints 2010: 345 complaints 2010 2011: 3368 complaints 2012: 1551 complaints 2013: 1895 complaints 2014: 740 complaints 2015: 1123 complaints 2016: 717 complaints 2016 2017: 758 complaints 2018: 364 complaints 2019: 153 complaints 2020: 165 complaints 2021: 119 complaints 2022: 88 complaints 2022 2023: 83 complaints 2024: 41 complaints 2025: 15 complaints 2026: 2 complaints 2026
2016: 717 complaints
View as data table
YearComplaints
19860
19871
19880
198911
199016
199129
199222
199326
19943
199566
199623
199749
199849
1999124
2000276
2001205
2002319
2003199
2004202
2005165
20061047
2007696
2008425
2009460
2010345
20113368
20121551
20131895
2014740
20151123
2016717
2017758
2018364
2019153
2020165
2021119
202288
202383
202441
202515
20262

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

ENGINE 62%

62% of complaints: engine — 443 distinct reports on file.

CRASH FIRE
Show complaint excerpts

The contact owns a 2016 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated while driving at 55 MPH, other drivers started beeping the horn and shouting that the vehicle was on fire. The contact immediately veered to the side of the road.

NHTSA ODI report, 20231003

09/16/2023: ENGINE CAUGHT FIRE ARRIVED AT WORK AT 830AM AND LEFT AT 4PM. WENT TO FEDEX (5 MIN AWAY FROM JOB) AND NOTICED BURNING SMELL.

NHTSA ODI report, 20230928

I WAS DRIVING IN THE FREEWAY WHEN I HEARD AN EXTREMELY LOUD BOOM AND MY CAR STALLED. I RESTARTED MY CAR AND IT WAS DRIVEN HOME. CAR DEALER MECHANIC STATED IT WAS AN EXHAUST BACKFIRE AND BLAMED IT ON USING CHEAP ARCO GAS.

NHTSA ODI report, 20181202

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 12%

12% of complaints: electrical system — 86 distinct reports on file.

CRASH FIRE INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

The contact owns a 2016 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated while driving at 55 MPH, other drivers started beeping the horn and shouting that the vehicle was on fire. The contact immediately veered to the side of the road.

NHTSA ODI report, 20231003

POWER TRAIN 8%

8% of complaints: power train — 59 distinct reports on file.

FIRE
SERVICE BRAKES 6%

6% of complaints: service brakes — 42 distinct reports on file.

CRASH FIRE INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

REAR BRAKES FAILED TO PROPERLY FUNCTION WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN FORWARD MOTION ON A HIGHWAY. BOTH REAR BRAKES LOCKED UP WITHOUT OPERATOR PRESSING ON BRAKE PETAL.

NHTSA ODI report, 20160408

EXTERIOR LIGHTING 5%

5% of complaints: exterior lighting — 36 distinct reports on file.

FIRE

SAFETY TIMELINE

R 20151130 — electrical system

Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain model year 2015-2016 Sonata vehicles manufactured May 28, 2014, to August 21, 2015.

Remedy: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will update the ABS control unit software, free of charge. The recall is expected began on November 30, 2015. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-671-3059.

Campaign 15V678000 — check if this car was fixed

▮ 2016 — complaint volume: 717
R 20160615 — air bags

Hyundai Motor Company (Hyundai) is recalling certain model year 2015-2016 Sonata vehicles manufactured May 29, 2014 to February 11, 2016, 2017 Elantra vehicles manufactured January 12, 2016 to February 22, 2016, and one 2016 Sonata Hybrid vehicle...

Remedy: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's frontal air bag module, free of charge. The recall began on May 5,2016. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 144.

Campaign 16V232000 — check if this car was fixed

I 20160903 — PE (closed 20170222)

Electronic Parking Brake

R 20161014 — air bags

Hyundai Motor Company (Hyundai) is recalling certain model year 2016 Sonata vehicles manufactured March 28, 2016 through April 12, 2016.

Remedy: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's frontal air bag module, free of charge. The recall began October 14, 2016. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-800-633-5151. Hyundai's number for this recall is 148.

Campaign 16V615000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20161129 — visibility

Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain model year 2015-2016 Sonata Hybrid vehicles manufactured December 8, 2014, to August 18, 2015, and Hyundai Sonata vehicles manufactured May 28, 2014, to March 18, 2016, equipped with the panoramic...

Remedy: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will repair the wind deflector anchor plate, free of charge. The recall began December 2016. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-800-633-5151. Hyundai's number for this recall is 152.

Campaign 16V726000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20170804 — parking brake

Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2015-2016 Sonata and Genesis vehicles.

Remedy: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will replace the parking brake switch, free of charge. The recall began on August 4, 2017. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-671-3059. Hyundai's number for this recall is 164.

Campaign 17V359000 — check if this car was fixed

I 20190419 — EA (closed 20240919)

Electrical overstress

R 20211119 — electrical system, exterior lighting

Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2015-2017 Sonata, 2016-2017 Sonata Hybrid, and Sonata Plug-In Hybrid vehicles.

Remedy: Dealers will update the SJB software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 19, 2021. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 210.

Campaign 21V749000 — check if this car was fixed

I 20211222 — EA (closed 20240205)

Engine Fires

I 20220912 — DP (closed 20231212)

Loss of Motive Power

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

2016 Hyundai Sonata — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for engine issues (443 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for electrical system issues (86 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for power train issues (59 reports on file for this year).
  • Verify recall 15V678000 (electrical system) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 16V232000 (air bags) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 16V615000 (air bags) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 16V726000 (visibility) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 17V359000 (parking brake) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 21V749000 (electrical system, exterior lighting) has been completed.
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL

BEST YEARS

▲ 2024 ▲ 1998 ▲ 1997

WORST YEARS

■ 2011 ■ 2013 ■ 2012

See all years ranked →

FAQ

Is the 2016 Hyundai Sonata reliable?

Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2016 Hyundai Sonata is rated "significantly worse".

What are the most common problems with the 2016 Hyundai Sonata?

The most-reported component is engine, accounting for 62% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 2016 Hyundai Sonata have?

6 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-07-11 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.